The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco continues to assert itself as the premier football competition during this festive season.

The tournament has been defined by electrifying matches, world-class performances from superstars, and an atmosphere filled with passion and intensity.

As attention shifts to the round of 16, Sports Talk ranks the winners and losers of the group stage after 24 matches involving 24 teams.

Winners

Algeria & Nigeria show early promises

Nigeria and Algeria are the only teams that maintained a 100 per cent record in the group stage with a maximum nine points from three games.

Vladimir Petkovic’s Algeria were dominant against Burkina Faso, Sudan and Equatorial Guinea with Zinedine Zidane’s son, Luca keeping a clean sheet in the first two matches while Riyad Mahrez led with his playmaking flair.

Nigeria also finished with a perfect record with Ademola lookman and Raphael Onyedika shining for Eric Chelle’s team.

Morocco’s record attendance

An average of 62,500 spectators have watched each of Morocco’s group games, with the encounter against Mali still the most-watched game at the AFCON with 63,844 spectators present at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Boxing Day.

The second most-watched game in Morocco was the Atlas Lions’ 3-0 victory against Zambia with 62,532 spectators on December 29 while the opening game against Comoros had 60,180 spectators being the third-most attended game.

DR Congo remain dark horses

The Democratic Republic of Congo roared into the knockout phase of the competition after finishing second in Group D, just behind Senegal in a tightly contested group.

The Leopards showed their credentials to contend for a third AFCON trophy after holding a technical Senegal side to a 1-1 draw and edging a physical Benin to a 1-0 win.

Sebastien Desabre’s squad is a mix of experience, skills and resilience.

Losers

Ivory Coast is a one-man team with Diallo

The defending champions might have won their group but the abysmal start to their final Group F outing against Gabon proved that Ivory Coast is currently a team built on Amad Diallo.

Before Diallo’s introduction in the 76th minute, the Elephants found themselves trailing 2-1 but his presence changed the game in their favour with two late goals that ensured a 3-2 victory.

Against Cameroon, the Manchester United star also made the difference for Emerse Fae’s team in a keenly contested game.

Ivory Coast have not lived up to expectations and would need to up their game in the knockout phase.

Mali’s struggle for rhythm

Mali failed to make a point in the group stage after drawing all three group games against Morocco, Zambia and Comoros.

However, they managed to make it to the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.

Tom Saintfiet’s side would need a major shift in their tactical set-up if they aim to overcome Tunisia for a spot in the quarter-final on Saturday.

Tanzania’s historic run

For the first time in their history, Tanzania made it to the knockout phase of the Africa Cup of Nations without winning a game.

The Taifa Stars are yet to win a match having played in four editions of the tournament.

After claiming just two points (draws against Uganda and Tunisia) in Group C, Tanzania narrowly edged Angola (Group B) for a place in the next round by a crucial tie-breaker – the most goals scored.

Let ’em Run Returns for Kentucky Derby Prep Weekend

Let ’em Run is back in the saddle, so buckle up as we are looking at the two Kentucky Derby prep races this Saturday. The action takes place at Oaklawn Park with Race 10, the Smarty Jones, and at Aqueduct with Race 3, the Jerome Stakes. Both races are worth 10 points to the winner.

We are also breaking down the Late P5 at Oaklawn. Big fields usually mean value, and this sequence delivers. From a Brisnet Prime Power perspective, there is no standout No. 1 Prime Power horse, which makes the P5 an intriguing way to start the New Year.

Stay tuned for Let ’em Run Happy Hour on Friday at 3 pm and the Saturday Roundup show at 12:30 pm. Both stream on the Sports Talk Media Network and multiple streaming apps and social channels.

Oaklawn Park – Race 7

3:55 EST | 6 Furlongs | Dirt | OC20K/N1X

The sequence starts with a big field in this Optional Claimer. I can see No. 4 Two Dollar Eddie at 8-1 and No. 5 Nicholai at 9-5 battling for the lead. That setup favors No. 11 Rock Solo at 5-1 coming late.

Recently gelded, Rock Solo gets Luis Saez aboard for trainer Ron Moquett, which seals the deal.

Oaklawn Park – Race 8

4:25 EST | 1 1/16 Miles | Dirt | ALW 115K/N1X

Another big field lines up here. Most eyes will be on No. 3 Render Judgement at 2-1, last seen in the 2025 Derby. The layoff is a concern, but the Ken McPeek and Brian J. Hernandez Jr. combination is dangerous.

I lean toward No. 8 Dance Some Mo at 4-1. He has one win at the distance and gets Francisco Arrieta to finish the job. No. 6 Super Cruise at 3-1 is consistent and should be there late.

Oaklawn Park – Race 9

4:55 EST | 6 Furlongs | Dirt | The Commodore Overnight 135K

This stakes race offers another big field. I am taking a swing with No. 6 Bourbon Bash at 12-1, ridden by Joel Rosario. Formerly trained by the late D. Wayne Lukas, he has been with Steve Asmussen since May.

His last race was a Grade 3 in the mud and did not suit him. The workouts say he is ready. He belongs on all tickets.

Oaklawn Park – Race 10

5:25 EST | 1 1/16 Miles | Dirt | The Smarty Jones 250K Kentucky Derby Prep

Now we get to the Kentucky Derby prep race. The Smarty Jones brings a strong field of nine runners. A case can be made for nearly every horse.

No. 7 Strategic Risk at 6-1 was impressive last time out. It was his first dirt start and first two-turn race. Mark Casse keeps Javier Castellano aboard and aims toward the Derby. He also owns the highest last-race Brisnet speed rating.

No. 9 Sleepingonfreedom at 5-1 also deserves attention. Ken McPeek and Brian J. Hernandez Jr. team up again. The horse has improved every start and has an excellent post.

Oaklawn Park – Race 11

6:00 EST | 6 Furlongs | Dirt | ALW 115K/N1X

The sequence closes with another big field. This race is loaded with speed.

I will side with the favorite, No. 1 Five o’ Somewhere at 5-2. Luis Saez rides, and cutting back to six furlongs enhances his speed from the rail. He is making his first Oaklawn start, but his December 11 workout suggests he likes the surface. Trainer Matt Shirer and Saez connect at a 31 percent strike rate.

No. 11 Stiglets at 7-2 gets a strong outside post and can track the speed before making one run.

Aqueduct – Race 3

1:10 EST | 1 Mile | Dirt | The Jerome 150K

Note that this is currently a small field of five and may drop to four. No. 5 Mailata just romped at Parx on December 30 and may not run back here.

If the field drops to four, this becomes a jockey’s race. Flavien Prat rides No. 1 Enforced Agenda at 9-2, which is where I land. The horse improved late in his debut and should move forward second time out. That may be all he needs.

Gabon national football team has been thrown into disarray after their group stage exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The Gabonese government, through a statement from the Ministry of Sports, announced the suspension of the Panthers from any international competition with immediate effect.

In addition, Thierry Mayouma’s coaching staff was dissolved with experienced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and captain Bruno Ecuele Manga banned from future selection.

The Panthers failed to pick up a point in Group F, after losing against Cameroon, Mozambique and Cote d’Ivoire.

In their final group game against Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon went ahead 2-0 through goals from Guelor Kanga and Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC, but they conceded the lead and lost 3-2 at Stade de Marrakech on Wednesday.

Gabon’s disappointing outing in Morocco came on the back of their impressive run in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers where they made it into the African playoffs where they lost 4-1 to Nigeria in the semis.

The government statement read: “Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the Total Energies Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and considering the multifaceted effects that are diametrically opposed to the values of ethics and exemplarity advocated by the Fifth Republic, the Government has decided: to dissolve the technical staff; to suspend the national team until further notice; to remove players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the team.”

Aubameyang missed Gabon’s final group game due to a thigh injury and he is back in Marseille while Manga was an unused substitute against Cote d’Ivoire.

Aubameyang remains the country’s top scorer with 40 goals and Manga boasts of the most appearances with 114 games under his belt.

Angola national team in crisis

Following their exit from the AFCON group stage, Angola departed the North African country on New Year’s Day but only six players returned to the country’s capital, Luanda.

French coach, Patrice Beaumelle and his technical crew did not join the delegation to return to Angola which raises question about their future with the country’s national team.

The Red Devils gathered just two points in the three matches, losing their opener against South Africa followed by back-to-back draws against Zimbabwe and Egypt.

Despite making it to AFCON 2023 quarter-final, Angola failed to make past the group stage in Morocco – a setback that could have consequences.